~ Enjoying Craft Time After Story Hour ~

Children enjoyed making a craft after story hour March 8 at the Monroe County District Library. Shown, from left, are: Steven Brodegard with his grandma Kate Brown, Kristyn Ackerman and daughter Kaelyn; and Wesley Moore with his mom Sarah. Story hour is held each Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at the library.            
Martha Ackerman Photo

Around the Burnside    

Trouble knocked on the door, heard a laugh and turned away.

What you don’t know never hurts you; it’s what you suspect that causes all the trouble.

I am disappointed. They told us we were getting eight inches of snow and then changed it to six inches, then five inches and we got only about two inches. It is still trying to snow. Maybe we will make it after all. If that’s not all, I’m late for the Beacon’s deadline as I was really busy this week. Who am I kidding? There was a lot of basketball on TV this week and sometimes I have a problem of thinking of something to bore you with each week.

I did reach what I call a milestone this week. On Tuesday I had a birthday. I guess I’m old enough to be called a grouchy old man or maybe an old you know what. I really celebrated. I climbed into our car, drove to the post office, picked up our mail and drove back home and spent much of the rest of the day in my easy chair. After all 68 is getting up there.

I did have an enjoyable birthday. I was treated to a special meal the Sunday before, received several cards and many birthday greetings from my Facebook friends, even a card on the internet. I received a small cake; however, there wasn’t room for all the candles that would have been required plus the fact the sun was shining and it was kind of warm that day. Oh yes, there was no money included in any of the cards. I guess now I’ll have to wait a whole year for another birthday.

Esther bought some organic bananas the other day. I don’t know why but I’m guessing four was all she wanted. I ate one of them. Guess what? It tasted exactly like a banana. I wonder why. Oh well, whatever turns you on. It’s still trying to snow.

Times have really changed since I was born. I think maybe Grover Cleveland was president. For example, I don’t remember ever having our door locked at night. In fact, I don’t remember how our doors were locked and we had an outside door that didn’t even have a lock. Made it easy to sneak in late if you ever was a mind to. On the other hand,  when you went to school, got up in the morning and did the chores including milking, chores after school and no TV you spent most of the night in bed. Summer time the same old thing except different.

As I sit here writing I can see many things we didn’t have in our kitchen at home. We got along without all the fancy things that brighten up and makes things much easier today.

We hear a lot about bullying in school today. I guess maybe that went on when I was in school. I don’t remember. Nowadays a principle gives a student a middle finger salute and it makes national TV. I’m glad I am retired.

I’ve heard several solutions of present day bullying. They even have meeting after meeting on the subject. One solution I heard was not to say anything to the student as this will just make the student worse. Many of you older readers will remember what they did back in your day. A few whacks on you know what worked wonders. Do that today and it’s child abuse. And to think once in awhile I walked around in shop with you know what and might give a student a little surprise if I saw them breaking a safety rule. It worked even if I never used it. As I said times have changed. I remember the Supt. on my first job told me if a student needed the board of education, use it and he would stand behind me.

Basketball season is over for the teams in the county for this year. Time for baseball and track among other things.

I think all of our teams had an excellent season. I didn’t get to watch any of the games but I tried to follow their progress. All three finished in the top four in their OVAC division and River and Monroe Central made it to the district tournament. This is no little accomplishment. I guess you know when they reach the district there are only 32 teams in their district still playing basketball. How many teams would trade places?

I know from experience how the players, coaches and fans feel with the loss of the first game in the district. They can hold their head high as they played their best and really it’s no disgrace to lose to a better team. Congratulations to the River, Monroe Central and Beallsville High School basketball teams. You’ve made us proud.

You can never make your dreams come true by over sleeping.

Church doors are still open to all.

Our Readers Write

Dear Editor,

Over the past few years Switzerland of Ohio School District has made leaps and bounds to further the educational opportunities for our county’s students. Tax levies were passed and monies provided for these improvements. Teacher salaries improved? New schools are being built. Perfection! Or is it?

In talking with my grandson, a junior at Swiss Hills, there seems to be a monumental cover-up happening in our school district. Text book availability for students.

Now, I thought this can’t be so, so I called Swiss hills and talked to his teacher, Mr. Shirley and lo and behold it is true. He informed me that there are 20 to 24 books for 132 students! Further there will be no more books until 2014! Now my next call was to the school district office. I spoke to Mr. Richardson, he said “there’s no way this could be”, and he would call Mr. Cook and follow up. He commented about students “sharing” books in class. OK. However they have no book to take home to do “homework” with, yet their grade is based all or in part on the text book. Hmmmm.

In my grandson’s class of 20 they share three books! How can this be? How many other classes are affected this way? How can they receive an education without the materials needed? If this is the case, then what else is being covered up here?

Something “stinks” in Monroe County.

Sincerely,

Gregg Alls, Woodsfield

Dear Editor,

What makes a good school district? Answer, the work force that comes out of it. Bottom line.

Have you looked at our unemployment and the businesses that aren’t there anymore? Just look at Main Street in Woodsfield.

For too long our school board lives in its own world. Have you ever tried to work with the school board? Do these answers sound familiar? “I didn’t know that.” “There is no money.”

What percentage of our kids is throw-a-ways? Not educated? For the last 30 years our school system did not work. I’m a throw-a-way. I fought for my children’s education and they are all graduates of college, but if they wouldn’t be if I had listened.

Today is a new battle I will not let my grandchildren be the next throw-a-ways. Crawl out from underneath your rock. No one will help us, we must help ourselves. Speak out! Let us be heard! We must work hard to let people know our plight. How hard it is for us to cope. We are a capable workforce. We are asset to the community. With the right training we could have done more.

I pay the bills for the school now let the school work for it. If you are interested in helping me, write to the Editor and get it out in the open.

Mary K. McIntire

Clarington

Dear Editor,

After reading about the humongous pile of tires in a recent Beacon, I am wondering how the township, county and the EPA has allowed this to go on for many years. In the photo, it looks as if there is a mucky looking water hole in the background. Wow, what a fantastic place for disease carrying mosquitoes.

This pile of tires should have never been allowed in the first place. The way I look at the situation, someone in the county has not been doing their job in the past, in preventing this to occur.

The thousands of tires may have been placed there illegally, and if so, someone has done a good job of getting away with this.

A tire’s physical structure, durability and heat retaining characteristics make these stockpiles a potential threat to human health, including the West Nile virus, and creates an ideal habitat for rodents and mosquitoes.

Clyde Potts

Wooster

Ruth Paine was honored recently for her service to Beallsville Chapter No. 24 Order of Eastern Star. Ruth was presented with her 75-year pin. She is shown with Jane Shirbish, Worthy Matron.            Photo Submitted

Paine Receives 75-Year Pin

At the February meeting of Beallsville Chapter #24 Order of the Eastern Star, Ruth Paine received her 75-year pin. Ruth resides with her son Charles on SR 26 outside of Jerusalem. 

The pin was presented to her by her son, Charles Paine. This is quite a distinct honor. Ruth has served the chapter in many capacities as an officer. Among the offices which she held were Worthy Matron in 1944, 1999 and 2000. Ruth also served as a Deputy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Ohio in 1949. She has also served the Chapter as organist for more than 50 years. 

While speaking with Ruth, she recalled that she had ridden the train to Beallsville on April 28, 1936, to be initiated into the Order of Eastern Star. At the time she was a student at Muskingum Uni-versity. 

She taught school for many years at Beallsville High School, and later served with the Ohio State University Extension Service as Home Economics Agent for Monroe County. 

~ Eagles Donate to Local Entities ~

Five Monroe County entities received checks ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 recently from the Woodsfield Eagles.  The Woodsfield Eagles No. 2302 was represented by club secretary Roy Brannon, who presented the checks to the Monroe County Senior Center, Woodsfield Volunteer Fire Department, Woodsfield Police Department, Monroe County Care Center and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Shown, from left are: Alice Piatt, Monroe County Senior Center site manager; CEO Gary Ricer, GMN Tri-County CAC, which manages the senior site; Woodsfield Fire Chief Mike Young; Woodsfield Police Chief Chuck Hamilton; Joan Michener, activity director, Monroe County Care Center; Monroe County Sheriff Charles Black and Brannon. The Senior Center donation will be used to further senior services; the fire department donation will be used in its 503c funds; Woodsfield Police donation will be used for an audio/video recording system; MCCC funds will be used for entertainment expenses; and the Sheriff will use the money to match a grant for vests.                 Photo by Martha Ackerman

~ McPeek Home Destroyed by Fire ~

A March 8 fire destroyed the Goddard Ridge Road home of Sardis residents Terry and Krista McPeek. The call came in shortly after 2 p.m. to the Monroe County 911 dispatchers. Upon arrival, the Sardis Volunteer Fire Department found the structure engulfed in flames. Sardis was aided in fighting the fire by the Antioch  and Clarington fire departments. The Ohio Fire Marshall reported that recessed lighting in the dining room ceiling appeared to be the ignition point of the fire. The McPeek home was a total loss; however, some family keepsakes were saved. This photo shows the extensive damage done to the kitchen. Donations may be sent to the Citizens National Bank in care of Terry and Krista McPeek, P.O. Box 230, Sardis, OH 43946.                 
  Photo Courtesy of Brian Jackson

Local Resident Attacked 

John R. Bolon of State Route 255 was transported to a local hospital on March 5 with knife injuries.

According to Sheriff Charles Black, Bolon stopped at the Sheriff’s Office earlier to report a verbal dispute which took place at a local bar. At 2:55 a.m. the Sheriff’s Office received a call with Bolon saying someone was attempting to make entry into his home. Before officers arrived, another call was received. When officers arrived at the Bolon home, they saw Robert Bailey, 52, and Hattie King, 51, in the driveway with Bolon. The two suspects, Bailey and King, fled into the woods but were apprehended by the officers. 

According to Black, upon his arrest, Bailey was uncooperative ad kicked the glass out of the cruiser. Black noted that additional charges would be forthcoming.

CHIP  Application Signed 

Darin Brown
Staff Writer

The commissioners held their weekly meeting on March 14.  The following took place during that meeting.

Dan Greenlee of Team Monroe met with the commissioners to discuss the ongoing efforts to hire an economic developer for the county. Previously, the commissioners had consulted with James Peters, the county’s prosecuting attorney, for advice on the legality of co-mingling private and public money to fund the position. 

Peters sent a letter to the commissioners citing that it was, in fact, a legal strategy. According to Peters’ letter, there are three sections of the Ohio Revised Code that allow the commissioners to distribute money to a nonprofit organization.  In order to meet the requirements of the law, the organization must be engaged in the development of public interest, the development of economic tourism or community improvement.

While the co-mingling of private and public funds is legal, the commissioners were also concerned about the control they would be able to exert over the economic developer if such funding methods were utilized. 

According to Peters’ letter, if the commissioners were to give the money to a nonprofit organization for the hiring of an economic developer, they would not have a legal right to exert control over the position. However, if the private portion of the funds was first donated to the county and then the position was paid through the county treasury, the commissioners would have rightful influence over the economic developer. Despite the new information, no decisions were made.  Team Monroe will meet with the commissioners again on March 21.

The second public hearing with the Ohio Regional Development Corporation was held during the meeting. Dale Hartle of ORDC met with the commissioners to discuss details about the CHIP grant that could bring help to select county home owners and tenants. The application will be filed on April 1 with a decision likely coming in August. The commissioners passed a motion to sign the application. 

David Locke, District Director of U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson’s local office attended for a meet and greet with the commissioners. Locke made inquiries about locations in Woodsfield and Sardis or Hannibal that would be good meeting places.  Johnson’s office plans on having what Locke called “Open Doors” which would be a monthly session in which representatives from Johnson’s office will be accessible to converse with constituents of the county.

Pay to Stay Plan a Success

Darin Brown 
Staff Writer

The March 7 commissioners meeting saw a busy schedule, but little action was taken.  

Sheriff Chuck Black attended the meeting to seek approval in accepting a grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The commissioners approved the acceptance of the $5400 grant which will fund upgrades in tactical equipment. 

Sheriff Black also discussed the initial success of the office’s Pay to Stay plan which was instituted at the end of 2010. 

Aptly named, the plan requires prisoners to pay for their stays during incarceration. Throughout the first full month of the plan’s implementation, $1440 was brought into the office’s general fund. 

A motion was passed to reappoint attorney Bill Frank to the County Public Defender’s Commission. His term had recently expired. His reappointment means that he will be on the commission for a new four-year term beginning immediately. 

County engineer Lonnie Tustin closed out the meeting with news about a settlement with Rocky Express Pipeline. German Ridge Rd. had been damaged due to the company’s work  in the area. Upon assessing the damage, the county billed Rocky Express Pipeline $115,000 to repair the road. The company then countered with an offer of only $51,000. After negotiations, a settlement of $95,000 was reached. The commissioners passed a motion to accept the offer pending approval of the settlement language by prosecuting attorney James Peters. 

Classifieds
■  3-17 Classifieds

OBITUARIES    

CLYDE BLAIR
Clyde Blair, 82, Beallsville, died March 8, 2011 in Woodsfield Nursing and Rehab Center. He was born Dec. 19, 1928 in New Martinsville, a son of the late Albert and Nell Riggenbach Blair.

He was a farmer and a retired employee of Conalco near Hannibal; he was also a member of Sunsbury Lodge #362.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Marjorie Kernen Blair; a daughter, Faye Marn; two sons, Steve (Karen) Blair, Keith (Connie) Blair, all of Beallsville; and two grandsons, Daniel and Devin Blair.

In addition to  his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl and Paul Blair; and a son-in-law, Gene Marn.

Friends were received March 13 at Harper Funeral Home, Beallsville, where funeral service were held March 14, with Minister Keith Ball officiating. Burial followed in Beallsville Cemetery.

Masonic services were conducted March 13 at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be offered at www.harperfh.net.

BERTON E. THOMAS
Berton Earle Thomas, 82, SR 556, Clarington, passed away March 9, 2011 at his home. He was born Feb. 14, 1929 in Linton, Ind., a son of the late Ott and Margaret Thomas.

He was a retired electrician at Ormet Corporation, Hannibal, and a member of First Church of God, New Martinsville.

Surviving are a daughter, Debra (John) Antill of Sardis; two brothers, Wayne (Bertha) Thomas of Powhatan Point, Kenneth (Freda) Thomas of Linton, Ind.; two grandchildren, Christy Eikleberry, Tony Delili; and five great-grandchildren, Megan Eikleberry, Brandon Delili, Conner Delili, Emma Jewels Delili and Chase Delili.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby J. Thomas on Aug. 10, 2010; and a brother, Malcom Thomas.

Graveside services were held March 11 at Clarington Cemetery, with Rev. Russell Whitener officiating.

Arrangements entrusted to Grisell Funeral Home, Clarington.

Sympathy expressions at grisellfuneralhomes.com.